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Experimental Approach to the Renewal of the Skin Surface

Abstract

THE population of epidermal cells can be regarded as a steady state system which converts various metabolites into keratin. On this basis it can be postulated that the keratin output may not exceed the metabolic input of the epidermis. In addition, if a valid comparison can be drawn between the epidermis and other steady state cellular systems1,2, variations in the magnitude of the nutritive flux may determine not only the rate of proliferation but also the steady state size of the population. This view in no way negates the possible involvement of specific growth regulatory substances3,4, nor can an unequivocal demonstration of the presence of such hormones in normal skin violate the input–output relation.

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ASCHHEIM, E. Experimental Approach to the Renewal of the Skin Surface. Nature 220, 1242–1243 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/2201242a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2201242a0

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